Shadows In Durango

Chapter 145

*****Vincent's POV*****

The room felt like it was closing in. My mind was spinning, my pulse pounding so hard I could barely hear anything except the thundering rush in my temples.

Frazier's command echoed through the space, his furious glare drilling into me like a predator ready to pounce. "Explain all of this. NOW!"

I could feel Sofia's gaze burning into me, desperate and terrified, her trembling body curling inwards as if she were trying to disappear into the chair. I looked at my father, waiting for him to speak, to salvage this, but his silence made it clear this mess was mine to attempt to clean up now as he too seemed at a loss for words!

I forced a breath out through gritted teeth. "You want the truth?" My voice came out sharper than I had intended, the words slicing through the tension like a blade. "Fine. I'll give you the goddamn fucking truth! I think that you're a bastard and that your sons are scumbags!"

Frazier's mouth fell slack as his eyes narrowed at the bluntness of my words.

I stepped around the table, every muscle in my body coiled tight as my temper began to break loose. "This deal this whole fucking arrangement — was a sham from the beginning, and you know it!" I gestured toward Sofia without looking at her, my fists clenching so hard that my nails dug into my palms. "You're furious because we tried to find a way around your pathetic marriage idea? So what if we did! But don't pretend that your hands are clean, Frazier. None of this has ever been about her — your own daughter - it's only about filling your fat fucking pockets with more power and cash, you don't give a shit about what happens to her!" I seethe, as her brothers square themselves up by their father's side for protection.

Humorous!

"Watch your fucking mouth with me, boy," Frazier snarled, leaning over the table like he was ready to leap across it.

"Watch my mouth with you? Why?! What the fuck are you going to do about it old man? You're a fucking waste of space at this point! The three of you are fools!" I snapped back, my anger boiling over. "You don't get to sit there and play father of the year. She's your daughter, and you've used her like a pawn for years an object to trade for power and for money. You didn't care who you sold her to, as long as you came out richer at the end of it! No wonder she ran away!" I

spit, as my father remains somewhat smug by my side.

"You can consider me your fucking revenge at this point because mark my words, I WILL RUIN YOU FOR HOW YOU'VE TREATED HER!" I fume, before grabbing the nearest chair, launching it across the table at the three of them, sending them scampering out of the way to avoid being hit.

I heard Sofia gasp softly, and for a moment, I almost turned to look at her. But I couldn't stop now. The room had erupted into a storm, one that I couldn't begin to contain... "You little fucking shit! Jay, get a goddamn grip of your son!" Frazier roars furiously, as I laugh at the flustered state he was entering.

"Vincent, calm down!" My mother is the first to shout at me instead, joining forces with Frazier, but with that, my father quickly grabs the side of her head and sends her tumbling back down on to the floor for the second time with a thud - enraged with how involved she had become in all of this.

"Do I need to cut out your fucking tongue woman?! You stupid bitch!" My father roars, placing himself on my defence which for the first time - I felt thankful for having him here.

"Enough of this!" Frazier demanded, slamming his fist against the table so hard that the wood creaked under him.

His face was red with fury, veins bulging in his neck. I saw the brothers exchange a quick, dark glance before they pushed their chests out defiantly.

care. Not anymore. "You want to act like I'm the villain, fine. I'll wear it," I growled, my voice lowering as I met Frazier's deadly gaze. "But at least I didn't put Sofia through years of hell just to line my fucking pockets. You'll die for what you've done..." I whisper, my tone dangerously low and

could react, he lunged around

him as I stumbled

time to swing a fist, catching him in the jaw before Sofia's other brother had joined in, both of them now driving me

alone!" I heard Sofia cry out, her voice breaking through the chaos which was enough to push me on during the fight - catching one of them

— the metallic snap of a gun being fired at

stumbling back against the table as all eyes turned toward my father.

handle the

screamed, stumbling back like she hadn't been the one to set this fire in the first place.

at her, his voice as cold and as sharp as steel. "This has gone on far

been holding Sofia moved in quickly, dragging her up from the chair as she struggled weakly against their hold. "No! Vincent!" Her cry pierced through the chaos, and for a split second, my eyes locked onto hers and

step to move for

dive for cover - unsure of who had fired it

deafening crack split the air, and my mother screamed again, covering her ears as she ducked down and I watched Sofia be dragged out of the room swiftly

to blur, my instincts kicking in as I shoved my

was doing, before he lunged at me again, his hand reaching

fired mine

as Freddie staggered back, blood blossoming out across his chest. His eyes widened in shock before his knees buckled, his body crumpling on to

wait after

I grabbed the opening.

out at me over the chaos, sharp and demanding. "Vincent! Go! Get the hell out

chest

as another shot rang out from behind me. "Get out of the country — head for the safe house! Do not look

sobbing now, her cries hysterical as she clutched

office door by the men, and I felt my stomach twist painfully

leave without

YOU!" Frazier screeched out as he stood back up to his feet with his own

wide

the door just as bullets shredded the air around me. My father had started firing again too, the sharp cracks of the gunshots nearly deafening me as I tore out

heaving, my mind spinning with everything that had just happened. Frazier's screams still echoed behind me, full of grief and rage, and I knew — I

Freddie was dead.

I had killed him.